The Masters in Museum Studies will help you develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required of today’s versatile museum professional. It has been designed in conjunction with employers to meet their needs for well-rounded museum professionals trained in the latest theoretical and practical approaches.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

You will take two core courses. These courses provide a conceptual and skills base from which you follow one of four specialist strands: Theory and practice; History of collecting and collections; Artefacts and material culture; or Dress and textile histories. Each strand will give you a different mix of optional courses.

Core courses

• Introduction to museology
• Research and professional skills.

To finish the programme, you choose between

• an Exhibition development and research placement course with the Hunterian Gallery
• a dissertation on a specialist topic of your choice.

Strands

Theory and practice

This strand introduces you to the theoretical, contextual, ethical and practical issues involved in curating, engaging, interpreting, developing and managing museum resources. It develops your understanding and skills in contemporary museum issues and exposes you to the many and varied challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

History of collecting and collections

This strand covers a broad range of disciplines and areas of knowledge relating to subjects and periods in the history of collecting and collections. You will be introduced to subjects that will help develop your understanding of issues of connoisseurship and taste, the impact of travel, the politics of display and patterns of collecting and presentation.

Artefacts and material culture

This strand is designed to provide a broad grounding in the fields of artefact and material culture studies. It prepares you at both a theoretical and practical level in the field of specialist artefactual analysis as well as the demands of the museum sector with regard to material culture.

Dress and textile histories

In this strand you will be introduced to subjects that will help you develop your knowledge and understanding in the field of dress and textile histories. You will focus on the curation, interpretation and preservation of dress and textiles in museums, galleries, archives and historic interiors, within both a practical and research environment.

Career prospects

Career opportunities exist in museum curatorship and management within the cultural and heritage sectors.

Academic entry requirements

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.5
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 24
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 68; minimum 60 in writing

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MSc